rydabent

I use both. On my LWB bent bike I use platform pedals. On my trike clip in since it is a safety issue.

Clipping in on a trike makes for relaxed riding. Since the trike doesnt tip over at a stop, you remain clipped in, and just start peddaling when the light turns green. No scratching and clanking or wobbling as you ride off.

OldsCOOL

What I like best about clips and straps is the smooth quickness pulling away from a dead stop. At traffic lights, the resuming of movement is nearly intuitive. The tab on the back of the pedal is nudged with the toe and the foot slides right in. No wobbles, no second-try stops, just fluid and fast movement. Straps are only as tight as necessary to keep feet in place on the pedal. I have pedals made to lock in with era riding shoes (I have a pair of 80's shoes with cleats) but have never used them beyond a trial ride. When I was a 15yr old hooking up a set of straps the first time on my Motobecane I would reach down and cinch my feet in tight for fast rides.

qcpmsame 

Now, I am riding clipless, but no problems if I went back to the old tried and true quill pedals with toe clips (Campag Record, or SunTour Superbe, would be my choices, if asked,) and straps (Christophe, please,) As long as I get to ride, its all good to me, and I have no business telling anybody what they should choose for their pedals, or whether it is clipped, or clipless. I don't pay their bills, they do, so its their call.

Bill

Gerryattrick

I've just bought a pair as they look to be just what I'm after. I haven't fitted them yet as I need to make up some sort of adjuster block first to get the position just right for the toe-clips.

Cougrrcj

All of my road bikes have toe clips and straps -- except my latest bike, the Miyata 710 that a previous owner put platforms on. Not sure if I like them or not, as I have only ridden that bike less than 10 miles total. I'm going to give them a try, but if I find that I don't like platforms, it will get a pair of VO road pedals like I put on the Univega Viva Sport.

JanMM

A real Platform Pedal! I used a similar MKS pedal (with toe clips, of course) 3+ decades ago.

OldsCOOL

That looks like a BMX pedal from back in the day.

PaulH

I use them and have used them for over fifty years. When you are plowing through slippery slush, it's good to be able to instantly slide a boot on the snow to stabilize. This week, every ride has been in boots. It's hard to imagine how people with clipless or straps get anywhere in the winter. Putting on special shoes to go to the store or office is just too much hassle for me.

OldsCOOL

Being a snow rider here in northern Michigan I wear hiking boots until we go subzero, then it's heavy pac boots.
Last night was quite icy with a daytime thaw. If you get squirelly it's nice being able to put that foot down.

Joe Minton

I use Diamondback BMX platform pedals on three of my four bikes. They have adjustable-height screw/pins that will dig into anything, including shins. I can wear any shoe and still have traction.
I currently favor "skate" (skateboard) shoes with their very sticky flat and stiff soles. This combination locks my feet onto the pedals so strongly that I have to lift my feet off the pedals to reposition them.
I intend to do some touring this year and shall use my platform/shoe combination.

My ‘work out bike’ has SPD pedals and I wear appropriate shoes when I ‘work-out’.

BTW: The single problem with the BMX pedal/Skate shoe combination is positioning: I have to look down to ensure that my feet are in the ‘right’ place. The single most important advantage of clipless pedals/shoes is that they firmly establish one’s foot position.
When I tour, I shall certainly fit and use clipless pedals simply because they will keep my feet in-place.

Joe

Sharpshin

I remember exactly when I got back into bikes; August of 2013 at age 56.

The reason was I had decided to ride a bike to NY State the following summer.

Fortunately I had an '89 Schwinn Voyageur that had been hanging my my garage wall for most of the previous 24 years. I started to ride it to work, working up from a nine-mile round trip commute to a 20-30 mile commute. Did a century that January and another in March while carrying 40lbs packed on the bike for a training effect. Long story short; I made it.

During that year the mods made to the original bike were new 700c wheels, trekking bar, Chris King headset, new front and rear racks (Ortlieb panniers), Nashbar Mt. Bike 44-32-22 chainrings and bottom bracket, Brooks saddle and 8 speed 11-34 rear cogs.

This photo was taken at the Hawk's Nest lookout on the Delaware Water Gap, just about 2,000 miles and 33 days from my own driveway.



Early on when I first got back on that Voyageur with its straps and toe clips I kept suffering sudden bouts of severe knee pain. On one outing it was so bad I limped to a nearby bike shop and put on el cheapo Welgo platforms. The relief was immediate! The difference was I could freely move my feet around in response to knee pain, change the angle, and the pain would go away. I severe cases I could move my foot forward to that my instep was directly over the pedal "axle". I soon replaced the Welgos with much better quality Nashbar Verge platform pedals.



The other problem I had was broken toes on my right foot that had healed crooked. In any sort of shoe the forward pressure of my foot while pedalling would become increasingly painful. My solution was these, slippers from the Dollar Store over plain 'ol cotton dress socks....



I brought an extra pair along just in case but never needed 'em, tho' the traction spikes on the Nashbar platforms did do a number on the soles over that 2,000 miles.

I hope to put in 2,000 miles with this same set-up in the UK this summer, though as a concession to climate I'm prob'ly gonna wear Crocs

But seriously, without the platform pedals and slip on sandals I woulda been sidelined early on.

Mike

canklecat

That's the main reason I'm comfortable with platform pedals now. I like being able to adjust my foot position for any shoe and to suit the conditions and how I'm feeling. Last night, during a critical mass ride, I felt a knee twinge, but moving my foot around a bit relieved the pain. Usually I'll ride on the balls of my feet for downhills and flats without wind, and center my feet over the pedals for uphill climbs or riding into the wind. May not be right for everyone but suits me.

Sharpshin

Yep, I have found that placing the instep directly over the pedal axle removes the feet and calves from the power equation, greatly reducing the strain on the knee. To me speed is irrelevant, as long as that front wheel is turning you're going to get somewhere.

Doesn't hurt any that my target speed while riding is only 10mph I like to be able to actually look around while riding, and the slow-and-steady approach worked just fine on my NY trip. Averaging 65 miles a day for a month ain't too shabby.

Mike

Dave Cutter

Back in 1964... most people I knew thought I was crazy to strap my feet into "metal traps" on my pedals. I still like toe clips with tennis shoes... for nostalgic reasons if nothing else. I rode in gym shorts (or jeans) and muscle shirts back then too. I didn't own sunglasses and never even saw a bicycle helmet.

I still use toe clips on my vintage bikes! And I have platform pedals on the bike I have mounted on a trainer. That way I can hop on the bike and watch the news... while still drinking coffee and wearing my slippers.

But otherwise... I have conformed completely. I wear spandex, cycling jerseys, underarmor, do-rags, helmets, cycling specific sunglasses.... clipless pedals and fancy shiny cycling shoes. In for a penny... in for a pound. If it was just about getting from here to there... I'd just drive the car.

ddeand 

For me, I would feel uncomfortable riding on platform pedals on my road bike (1985 Gazelle) or on my CX bike (C'dale CAADX). But . . . on my mountain bike, I feel I would be stupid to clip in at my age and my lack of experience (started mtb at age 65).

Just do whatever is most comfortable and secure to you.

Ridley_Rider

Are you flat guys buying riding shoes or just jumping on with trainers?
I'm speedplay on my road bike and flats on my urban.

TriDanny47

I put dual platform pedals on a couple of my bikes / I like having options in shoes, depending on the intent of the ride. Serious training ride =clip less; recreational ride or errands to the store = athletic shoes with no dangling laces

LoveCorgis

How well do half toe clips worked compared to the full toe clips?

OldsCOOL

They do ok but if you like straps you will think them not up to a rigorous ride. I was out for an 82mi training ride and snapped a strap. I mildly freaked out but decided to give it a shot. It worked ok but was distracting knowing a foot could let go if not careful.

1989Pre

I use trail running shoes, because the tread is deeper (for traction), they are a little more waterproof than normal running shoes, and most importantly, most models have a pretty firm sole. I plan on trying an approach shoe like the Vasque Juxt (just tougher all-around).

LoveCorgis

Thank you - that's kind of what I suspected. I will keep research the full toe clips.

Wileyrat

My mountain bike has half clips, both my new and old road bike have Spd-sl, but I'm thinking about putting the original MKS Sylvian pedals with toe clips and straps back on the vintage Team Fuji.

I have a couple more vintage bikes (in various stages of dis-repair) that have toe clips and straps that don't see any riding time.

StanSeven

I'm clearly in the minority here. I've ridden almost nothing but clipless ever since they became widely available in the mid 80s. I won't consider anything else for road use. However I forgot have platforms on my beach cruiser and errand bikes. What's funny is when I spin fast no hard on either or stand to push up a hill, I immediately start to lose efficiency. I know a big part is me not being really use to platforms in those situations. But I still love the clipless.

bargeon

Yeah, I'll second trail runners for platform pedals, they grab on pretty tight.

FrozenBiker 

Clipless? What are they I've used platform with toeclips forever, and wouldn't consider changing it..